tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9505451013336249462014-10-03T00:19:45.273-07:00Leslie's Scrapbook: A Patchwork of PossibilitiesLeslie Rittoperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183215747803324616noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950545101333624946.post-1680522048412572042013-08-22T15:39:00.002-07:002013-08-22T15:47:45.542-07:00Amazing Possibilities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-33gkhESv8cE/UhaU0_qY4GI/AAAAAAAAAto/O0_F6oJmF5k/s1600/281542_4287561920001_572245888_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-33gkhESv8cE/UhaU0_qY4GI/AAAAAAAAAto/O0_F6oJmF5k/s1600/281542_4287561920001_572245888_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="color: blue;"><b>Since the day my daughter was born 38 years ago, I became an advocate- to be a voice- for persons living with disabilities. &nbsp;In preschool years, through Kimberly teaching me, I taught others "another way" to bathe, dress, and feed themselves through example and perseverance. &nbsp;In elementary school years, I became a New Jersey State Advocate; helping others select "the least restrictive environment" with "related services" in the public school system. &nbsp;During these years I created the "Kid's Korner" column which offered services available for special needs; for D.I.A.L., Inc., (Disabled-Information-Awareness &amp; Living); one of the first Independent Living Resource Centers in the U.S.) founded by parents and persons advocating for a high quality life, as special needs are being met with available services. &nbsp;Living in the Metropolitan Area of New Jersey/N.Y.C. we had boundless opportunities to meet literally hundreds of people working with the same goal in mind- to live a life free from barriers that hold us all back- physically and socially, through cultural and financial divide.</b></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b>Since those pioneer/grassroots days of establishing the most basic rights and freedoms for all persons (meeting their individual needs) we have, indeed, come a long way, baby! &nbsp;That, however, brings us to today, facing the most difficult challenges of day-to-day living for everyone.</b></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b>I am continuing my education- through example, as a parent in everyday life, as a nurse serving those with special needs, and as an advocate reaching out to others, through the media (published articles &amp; radio), presentations, and speaking engagements. &nbsp;I am attending budget hearings, to share my experiences, to find solutions and hope for positive alternatives to benefit all of us- as American citizens faced with these challenges, are insurmountable alone. &nbsp;But together, with positive minds and actions, we can not only climb that mountain; when we get to the top, we can smile at the next one ahead.***</b></span>Leslie Rittoperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183215747803324616noreply@blogger.com0